Each year, we look forward to May Celiac Awareness Month for the chance to celebrate our community’s tireless work to educate, advocate, and accelerate research for celiac disease. This year, we are proud to acknowledge the astounding amount of support we received during the month of May.
The Celiac Disease Foundation kicked off May Celiac Awareness Month with our Raise it. Give it. Get it! Campaign, supported by Proud Sponsor King Arthur Baking Company. Participants received a gluten-free goodie bag of baking products from King Arthur for qualified donations between May 1 and May 31. Team Gluten-Free members and CDF Student Ambassadors who raised money during the month of May also received King Arthur products as a thank you for supporting the Celiac Disease Foundation and raising awareness in their communities. In total, we raised more than $50,000 this month, and we could not have done it without your help.
Other Proud Sponsors of the Celiac Disease Foundation helped raise awareness of celiac disease and supported the celiac community through Instagram Giveaways, allowing entrants the opportunity to win exciting gluten-free prizes from each brand. We would like to thank Proud Sponsors Schär, Fody Foods, Cabinet, BFree Foods, Nairn’s Oatcakes, GlutenDetect, Crunchmaster, Jessica’s Naturals, Trifecta, Dr. Liia, and Mikey’s for making our #CDFMayGiveaways possible! Congratulations to the
giveaway winners! The Foundation was also grateful to team up with So Yummy, as they posted a Facebook video of fun gluten-free recipes, emphasizing the importance of celiac disease awareness. We also want to extend our gratitude to Proud Sponsor Schär for offering a special discount on their gluten-free products to CDF supporters during May Celiac Awareness Month. Our Proud Sponsors showed their commitment to the celiac disease community with their involvement this May.
Throughout the month of May, we joined forces with celiac disease organizations from around the world in an international campaign of solidarity called #ShineALightOnCeliac. This global campaign reminded us that we aren’t alone in the obstacles we face with celiac disease. During the weekend of International Celiac Disease Awareness Day, May 15 & 16, landmarks around the world shined a light in recognition of celiac disease. Special thanks to the Boston Children’s Hospital in Boston, MA, the Municipal Building in Fostoria, OH, the Lowry Bridge in Minneapolis, MN, the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge in Nashville, TN, and the Helmsley Building in New York City, NY for supporting the Celiac Disease Foundation and the three million Americans living with celiac disease, as together we raised awareness during May Celiac Awareness Month.
On Friday, May 14, CDF supported 64 schools nationwide for Celiac Strong Day, an awareness day for celiac disease in learning environments. The Foundation provided students, teachers, parents, and faculty with educational materials and swag to help educate their schools and classrooms, and CDF Proud Sponsor Crunchmaster donated 8,550 bags of crackers to the participating schools. We invite you to view photos here. Our sincere gratitude to everyone who participated in empowering students and educating future generations about the seriousness of celiac disease.
The Foundation was also pleased to recognize our esteemed 2021 Volunteers of the Year, Jackson Resin and Kelsey Smith, for their outstanding contributions to the Foundation and celiac community.
With your support, and that of our Proud Sponsors and partners, we exceeded our goals for raising awareness and funds to accelerate research for treatments and a cure for celiac disease this May. We appreciate your generosity and look forward to continuing our important work together.